Automatic coin controlled time registering electric switch



AUTOMATIC COIN CONTROLLED TIME REGISTERING ELECTRIC SWITCH Filed July 15 193.1 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 A ENVENTQR a a H. R. SMITH Dec. 6, 1938.

AUTOMATIC COIN CONTROLLED TIME I QEGISTERING ELECTRIC SWITCH Filed July 15,1931

3 Shegis-Sheet 2 IN V EN TOR.

. A TTORNEY Dec. 6, 1938. s rr 2,139,524

' AUTOMATIC COIN CONTROLLED TIME REGISTERING ELECTRIC SWITCH Filed July 15, 1951 s Sheets-Sheet 5 IN V EN TOR.

BY I G ATTORNEY Patented Dec. 6, 1938 PATENT OFFICE AUTOMATIC COIN CONTROLLED TIME BEG- ISTERING ELECTRIC SWITCH Hugh It. smith, Loo Angela, Oalii., auirnor, by mesne assignments, to General Motors Corporation, a corporation of Delaware Application July 15. 10:1, Serial No. 550,988 20 M (Cl. 194-9) My invention relates broadly to a meter attachment for domestic refrigerators and more particularly to a simplified construction of automatic coin controlled time registering electric switch.

One of the objects of my invention is to pro vide a simplified construction of automatic coin controlled time registering electric switch in which a minimum number of parts is required for reducing the expense in manufacture and production.

Another object of my invention is to provide a simplified construction of meter attachment for electric refrigerators in which electromagnetic l5 means are provided for initially actuating a recording element for indicating the time intervals represented by deposited coins over,wl'iich the device will operate with mechanical means for restoring the indicator to its initial setting subsequent to the electrical operation of the indicator.

Still another object of my invention is to provide a mechanical trip device for restoring the setting of an indicator after the electromagnetic operation thereof initiated by the deposit of a coin in a meter attachment for domestic rcfrigerators.

A further object of my invention is to provide a construction of mechanical snap mechanism for restoring the indicator of a meter attachment for domestic refrigerators to an initial setting at the same time controlling an electrical circuit to the refrigerator mechanism whereby the circuit to the refrigerator mechanism may be interrupted after the lapse of a given time interval,

the length thereof being determined by the deposit of coins operative to initially set the indicator through electrical means.

Other and further objects of my invention reside in the construction of coin controlled automatic time operated electric switch as set forth more fully in the specification hereinafter following by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure l is a front view showing the panel and indicator mechanism of the automatic coin controlled time registering electric switch of my invention; Fig. 2 is a plan view of the mechanism illustrated in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a plan view of the rear of the panel and the mechanism contained thereon; Fig. 4 is a schematic view illustrating the mechanical trip device which is actuated to restore the indicator to the initial position and open the circuit to the power supply apparatus;

Fig. 5 illustrates the position of the mechanical trip mechanimi preparatory to a periodic tensioning operation; Fig. 6 illustrates the trip mechanism at the instant of tripping when the mechanism is about to move to a position for operating the pawl of the pawl and ratchet 5 device constituting the indicator; Fig. 7 illustrates a modified arrangement of mechanical trip mechanism embodying the principles of my invention; Fig. 8 is a view of the mechanism shown in Fig. 7 Just prior to a tripping operation there- 10 of; Fig. 9 shows the mechanism at the instant of operation thereof where the pawl moves the ratchet one step; and Fig. 10 shows a further modified form of tripping mechanism embodying the principles of my invention. 15

The construction of my present invention is an improvement over the construction of automatic coin actuated time controlled electric -switch as set forth in my copending application Serial No. 547,718, filed June 29, 1931. In my 20 aforesaid application a solenoid device is employed for operating a pawl and ratchet mechanism for moving an indicator in step-by-step operations for eflecting the closing of the power control switch of an electric refrigerator and 25 shifting an indicator to a position for representing the number of deposited coins and indicating the time intervals over which the power circuit to the refrigerator will remain closed. Heretofore I have employed another solenoid and pawl 3 and ratchet mechanism operated through a system of gearing and electrical switch mechanism for operating the restoring solenoid. Such gearing mechanism has been employed to actuate the restoring switch mechanism for imparting im-' 5 pulses of energy to the restoring solenoid. I have found that the complication of the system of gearing and restoring switch, together with the restoring solenoid for operating the restoring pawl and ratchet, are unnecessary complications 40 which can be eliminated, thus greatly simplifying the mechanism and reducing the cost of manufacture.

In the present mechanism of my invention I utilize an indicator mechanism similar to my 45 aforesaid application and energize a solenoid device by deposit of a coin for imparting movement to the indicator and closing the power control switch to the refrigerator mechanism, at the same time starting the driving motor in the meter 50 attachment. A mechanical system is driven from the motor shaft for effecting the operation of a restoring pawl and ratchet mechanism after the lapse of a predetermined time interval such as every twenty-four hours. It is unnecessary to u employ a solenoid device operating a pawl and ratchet mechanism for, according to my present invention, a mechanical system is mechanically operated when the driving motor has reached a predetermined position at the end 0! the aforesaid time interval. Thus it a number of coins have been deposited and the starting solenoid energized through a series of successive movements, the indicator may have advanced to a selected position in step-by-step movement. Reversed step-by-step movement is brought about by the functioning oi a mechanical system as the driving motor passes through each predetermined position.

My invention has been illustrated in several different embodiments. In one iormottheinvention I provide a spiral spring arrangement in which energy is stored in accordance with the clockwise movement of the gear system, which spring is released at a predetermined position for actuating a pawl which operates a ratchet ior restoring the indicator and opening the circuit to the driving motor after the lapse of a predetermined time interval. In another form of my invention I provide a spring member which projects into the path of a rotating abutment on the time controlled gear for storing up potential energy in the spring which may be released as kinetic energy for actuating the pawl and ratchet mechanism on the restoring indicator. In a further form of my invention I provide a coil spring device located on the end of an actuating lever where the coil spring device may be variably compressed in accordance with movement of the drive gear system and released at a predetermined instant tor actuating the pawl and ratchet mechanism forming part of the indicator.

Referring to the drawings in detail, reference character I designates the panel structure on which the indicator and registering mechanism is mounted. A horizontally extending bar member 2 is supported on pedestals 3 which project normal to the panel i providing a bearing for the rotatable shaft 4 which carries calibrating indicator 5 on the end thereof and on which there are disposed the two oppositely pitched ratchet wheels 6 and 8. Intermediate the ratchet wheels 6 and 8 I provide an insulated disc I mounted in front of the panel I. The disc 1 is notched at the peripheral edge thereof as shown at 9 thus constituting a cam. The teeth on ratchet wheel 6 are directed in such manner that the tongue Nb of the yoke shaped pawl which is actuated by the vertically movable plunger lflc under control of solenoid or credit relay II, is capable of angularly shifting the shaft 4 in step by step increments in a clockwise direction. The yoke which operates the ratchet mechanism has an upwardly extending arm l0a. which is guided by pin lfle projecting from panel I. The yoke constituting the pawl has its short arm llb shaped to engage immediately beneath each of the ratchet teeth forming the ratchet 8. The forked pawl is pivoted at ilf to the vertically movable plunger 100. The pin II which projects from plunger I00 engages the vertical slot I30. in panel i thereby maintaining the plunger lilo in a vertically aligned operating path. The pawl lob is maintained under tension by means of coil spring I4 tending to restore the pawl out of the path of the ratchet after each successive actuation of the pawl. A pin illd projects from the plunger I00 and engages the crank arm ll of the register mechanism within the casing 1 The register mechanism comprises a plurality of indicator discs visible through an aperture, which discs are angularly shifted for each vertically upward movement of the plunger llc. One vertically upward movement occurs at the time of deposit of a coin through the slot II as will be hereinafter described.

The slot I1 is arranged in the rear of the panel I and serves to guide coins against the end 2. of the pivotally mounted lever II. The lever II is pivotally mounted as indicated at I! in a position where the contact II on the end of the lever ll normally so balances the lever that chute II on the end of the lever is arranged to receive a coin from guide l1 and overcome the equilibrium of the lever II for shifting contact 2| into connection with spring contact 21 supported from insulated bracket 24 on the rear of the panel I. Pin 22 on the rear of the panel serves as a stop for lever II for maintaining lever II in a horizontal position. The contact spring 23 and the shiitable contact 2| are located in circuit with the winding 0! solenoid ll and-in circuit with a power source so that a current impulse is sent through the winding of solenoid I. as each coin is dropped upon chute 2| through guide II. This results in the shifting of the pawl arm Ilb into engagement with the teeth of ratchet wheel 8 and shitting notch O on insulated disc I from beneath the depending arm of the lower one of two leai springs constituting, with contacts I'd, a service switch I, thereby serving to close contacts "a for thus closing the power circuit to the driving motor on the reirigerating mechanism. The springs of switch II are mounted in predetermined spaced relation on insulated block- I! which extends from the panel I in the manner shown. In the initial position of cam disc 1, shown in Fig. l, the depending arm at the free end of the lower spring of switch II is disposed in notch 9, due to the inherent resiliency o! the lower spring opposing upward movement of the free end thereof, as will be clear from this figure. When cam disc I is moved from initial position it acts as a cam, moving the lower spring upward, closing switch It and maintaining it closed so long as disc I remains out of its initial position. The solenoid l0 constitutes a credit relay effective for turning the movable crediting means, comprising ratchet wheel 6 and disc 1, a predetermined distance away from switch opening position for maintaining service switch l6 closed for a corresponding time period, for each coin inserted.

So long as the contact iia of switch Ii remains closed the driving motor on the refrigerator continues to operate. However, I provide means operative after the lapse of a predetermined time interval ior angularly shifting shaft 4 in an opposite direction to a position where notch 9 is restored beneath the lower arm of switch mechanism ii thus opening contact Ito and opening the circuit to the driving motor of the refrigeration apparatus.

A constant speed driving motor is mounted on the rear of the panel I by means 01' pedestal members 26 extending normal to the panel. I employ a synchronous motor oi the induction type usually employed in electric clocks. The motor is indicated as contained within casing 28 which is mounted through magnetic core structure 25 on which there is wound the electromagnetic actuating winding 21. The shaft 29 of the motor 2. drives pinion 30 which meshes with gear 3|. Inasmuch as pinion ill revolves in a clockwise direction when viewed from the front of the panel gear 3| is driven in a counterclockwise direction. Gear 3| is mounted upon shaft 32 disposed in bearings carried by the rear of panel I and the laterally extending bar member 33 which extends between pedestals 26. Gear 3| carries a drum 3|b thereon; which drum has a peripheral aperture 34 therein. The peripheral aperture 34 is adapted to'en'gage the depending lug 36 on spiral spring 35 as illustrated in Figs. 4, 5 and 6. The spring 35 is supported at a point 35b and has a number of convolutions 35a for allowing appropriate resiliency to the. spring,

spring 58 has been compressed and potential energy stored therein just prior to release of the lever. Fig. 9 shows the condition where pin 53 has passed beyond the end of spring 50 whereupon the spring has been released. The spring upon release flies downwardly, expending the stored potential energy and developing kinetic energy which serves to snap lever 46 around pivot 41 and shift pawl 48 against one of the ratchet teeth in ratchet 8, thereby imparting angular movement to the indicator shaft 4. The limit to which weight 5| is thrown upon release of spring 50 is determined by the length of guide when lug 36 has dropped into the recess 34 and 52 the drum is rotated. When viewed from a rear position looking toward the rear of panel I, the gear 3| revolves clockwise and normally the pawl at the end of the spring when not engagedin the recess in the drum rides idly on the periphery of ,the drum and tends to wrap spring 35,;

around the drum 3|b. When the aperture -34 moves to a position-in which lug 36 on spring 35may grip as shown in Fig. 5, the revolving gear 3| and drum 3 lb tend'to carry the spring 35 forward to a limiting position where the upturned end 31 of'the spring 35 engages the fixed pin member 38. Under this condition the end 31 of spring 35 tends to ride up upon pin 38 thereby drawing lug 36 out of-engagement with aperture 34 as shown in Fig. 6. This results in the sudden release of spring 35 which shifts back with a snap action. The movement of the spring 35 is guided however by means of pins 39 projecting from the rear side of panel structure I and extending and confining the spring 35, thus preventing the same from unwrapping from the surface of drum 3|b. Spring 35 carries a member 48 which projects radially into the path of the upturned end of actuatinglever 4|. Actuating lever 4| is pivoted at 42 to the rear of panel I and is angularly movable within limits defined by pins 43 and 44 which project from the rear of the panel I'. Lever 4| has a pawl 45 on the end thereof adapted to engage the teeth on ratchet 8 adjacent the rear of the panel when arm 40 engages the end of lever 4|. Under spring action pawl 45 is forced against a tooth of ratchet 8 thereby imparting angular motion to shaft 4 in a. direction opposite to the movement imparted to the shaft 4 by operation of the solenoid H). The impact of arm 40 against the end of lever 4| is due to the release of spring 35 in a predetermined position of the path of travel of the aperture 34 in drum 3|b with respect to lug 36.

In lieu ofthe coil spring having the convolutions shown at 350 I may employ the type of spring device shown in Figs. 7-9. In this arrangement a lever 46 is substituted for the lever 4| and is pivotally mounted at 41 under spring tension developed by coil spring 48 which tends to shift lever 46 in a position in which the end 4622 thereof normally abuts against stationary pin 54. The portion 46b is connected to the central portion of lever 46 through the angularly disposed portion 46a. The portion 461) has a spring member 50 connected thereto as shown, the spring carrying a weight 5| on the end thereof and a guide pin 52 projectable through an aperture in the end portion 46b of the actuating lever. A projecting pin 53 on gear 3| engages the end of spring 50 in the course of movement of gear 3|.

Fig. 7 shows pin 53 about to engage the end 10f spring 50. Fig. 8 shows the condition when In Fig. 10 a modified form of release action is shownwherein an auxiliary lever 55 is pivoted at 550, at the junction ofportions 46a and 46b of the lever 46. This auxiliary lever 55 is'nor- I mally spring pressed outwardly by means of coil spring -58. The weight 56 is carried by the auxiliary lever guide pin 51 extends between the portion m, or the main lever 46 and the auxiliary le'ver'55..-.Pin 53 on gear 3| engages auxiliary lever-'-. 55 thereby compressing spring 58 and storing" p'otentialenergy therein. This potential energy'ls, released when pin 53 passes beyond the end of-auxiliary lever 55 thus allowing the stored potential energy to be expended as kinetic energy for shifting pawl 48 into engagement with the teeth of ratchet wheel 8.

In order to properly time the functioning of the mechanical trip mechanism, gear 3| is angularly adjustable on shaft 32 by means of set screw 3|a.

Periodic movement of the shaft 4 is obtained whether the mechanism is operated by the flat spring 35 having con'volutions 35a as represented in Figs. 4, 5 and 6, or by means of spring 50 as shown in Figs. '7, 8 and 9, or by means of coil spring 58 as shown in Fig. 10.

In the operation of the system of my invention, any number of coins up to eleven may be deposited in slot l1 for imparting successive impulses to solenoid l0 resulting in the shifting of the pawl |0b with respect to the teeth of the ratchet wheel 6, shifting the indicator 5 and disc 1 to a position represented by the number of deposited coins. As the spring mechanism periodically functions the indicator 5 is shifted back step by step until insulated disc 1 has the notch 8 therein restored below switch l6 opening the circuit to the motor on the refrigeration apparatus and placing the indicator in its original position preparatory to a successive operation.

Any coins which are deposited in excess of the number demanded for operation of the machine can be readily credited to the customer at each collection period by reference to the reading of the register l2 which accurately shows the amount of refrigeration time actually purchased and used by the consumer.

While I have described my invention in certain preferred embodiments, I desire that it be understood that modifications may be made and that no limitations upon my invention are intended other than are imposed by the scope of atively associated with said switch actuating mechanism, a starting solenoid including a shiftable pawl adapted to actuate one of said ratchet wheels under control of impulses governed by the operation of said coin actuated switch, a driving motor initiated in movement by the closing of said main switch, and tension mechanism periodically actuated by said driving motor for restoring said switch actuating mechanism to initial position and opening said main switch.

2. In an automatic time controlled coin operated electric switch, a frame structure, a main switch, switch actuating mechanism journaled in said frame structure, a coin actuated switch, a pair of oppositely pitched ratchet wheels operatively associated with said switch actuating mechanism, a starting solenoid including a shiftable pawl adapted to actuate one of said ratchet wheels under control of impulses governed by the operation of said coin actuated switch, a driving motor initiated in movement by the closing of said main switch, spring means operated by said motor for storing potential energy and means for releasing said spring means after the lapse of a. predetermined time interval for transforming the potential energy into kinetic energy expended against the other of said ratchet wheels for restoring said switch actuating mechanism to initial position and opening said main switch.

3. In an automatic time controlled coin operated electric switch, a frame structure, a shaft journaled in said frame structure, switch actuating mechanism carried by said shaft, a pair of oppositely pitched ratchet wheels on said shaft, a solenoid device located adjacent one of said ratchet wheels, a pawl operated by said solenoid device for engaging said ratchet wheel and angularly shifting said shaft in step-by-step increments, 2. switch controlled by the movement of said shaft, coin actuated means for imparting impulses of energy to said solenoid upon the deposit of a coin for advancing said shaft and closing said switch, a driving motor initiated in action upon the closing of said switch, and spring means controlled by said driving motor for periodically actuating the other of said ratchet wheels for reversably driving said shaft to a position for opening said switch.

4. In an automatic time controlled coin operated electric switch, a frame structure, a shaft journaied in said frame structure, switch actuating mechanism carried by said shaft, a pair of oppositely pitched ratchet wheels on said shaft, a solenoid device located adjacent one of said ratchet wheels, a pawl operated by said solenoid device for engaging said ratchet wheel and angularly shifting said shaft in step-by-step increments, a switch controlled by the movement of said shaft, coin actuated means for imparting impulses of energy to said solenoid upon the deposit of a coin for advancing said shaft and closing said switch, a driving motor initiated in action upon the closing of said switch, resilient means operated by said driving motor for storing potential energy, and means for periodically releasing the stored potential energy as kinetic energy for effecting a reverse actuation of said shaft and opening said switch.

5. In an automatic time controlled coin operated electric switch, a frame structure, a shaft journaled in said frame structure, switch actuating mechanism carried by said shaft, a pair of oppositely pitched ratchet wheels on said shaft, a solenoid device located adjacent one of said ratchet wheels, a pawl operated by said solenoid device for entail slid ratchet wheel and angularly shifting said shaft in step-by-step increments, a switch controlled by the movement of said shaft, coin actuated means for imparting impulses of energy to said solenoid upon the deposit of a coin for advancing said shaft and closing said switch, a driving motor initiated in action upon the closing of said switch, and a flat spring device adapted to be tensioned by said driving motor for the storing of potential energy therein, a second pawl engageable with the other of said ratchet wheels, the energy in said spring device being periodically releasable as kinetic energy for driving said second pawl to actuate the other of said ratchet wheels, restoring said indicator shaft to its initial position and opening said switch.

6. In a coin controlled time switch, a switch for connecting a load circuit to a supply circuit, coin controlled means for closing said switch, spring powered mechanism, tensioning means therefor, mechanical means operated by said spring powered mechanism and adapted to open said switch, and a timing device governing the supplying of energy by said spring powered mechanism to said mechanical means.

'7. In a coin controlled time switch, a driving motor, a switch for connecting a load circuit to a supply circuit, coin controlled means for closing said switch, a spring, a tensioning device therefor driven by said motor and initiated into operation upon the closing of said switch, and mechanical means operated by the spring upon predetermined tensioning thereof, and adapted to effect the opening of said switch.

8. A device as described in claim 6, and including means adapted to suddenly release said spring powered mechanism to effect rapid opening of said switch.

9. In a coin controlled time switch, a main switch for controlling the transmission of energy between two circuits, switch actuating mechanism therefor, coin actuated means adapted to operate said mechanism in a direction to close said switch, a timing device, and mechanical means associated therewith and timed thereby, and adapted to operate said switch actuating mechanism by progressive, steps at regularly timed intervals in a direction to open said main switch.

10. In a coin controlled time switch, a main switch, switch actuating mechanism therefor, said mechanism being operable in progressive steps between limiting positions and being adapted to actuate said switch at an intermediate position, coin actuated means adapted to successively move said mechanism toward one of said limiting positions a certain increment of its travel at each insertion of a coin therein, a timing device, and a mechanical connection member between said timing device and said switch actuating mechanism, controlled by said timing device, and adapted to intermittently drive said actuating mechanism in definite increments toward the other of said limiting positions.

11. In a coin controlled time switch, a main switch for controlling the transmission of energy between a supply circuit and a load circuit, switch actuating mechanism therefor, coin actuated means adapted to operate said mechanism in a direction to close said switch, a timing device, means for storing energy from said supply circuit, means timed by said timing device for effecting the release of such stored energy at predetermined time intervals, and mechanical means associated 1s with said energy storing means, and engageable with said switch actuating mechanism, whereby the latter is operated in a direction to open said main switch upon release of said stored energy.

12. In a coin controlled time switch, a main switch, switch actuating mechanism therefor, coin actuated means adapted to operate said mechanism in a direction to close said switch, a timing device, a member mechanically associated therewith and adapted to be moved into and out of engagement with said switch actuating mechanism at intervals determined by said-timing mechanism to operate said actuating mechanism in a direction to open said switch.

13. In a coin controlled time switch, a main switch, switch actuating mechanism therefor, coin actuated means adapted to operate said mechanism in a direction to close said switch, a timing device, including a timing motor controlled through said main switch, and a member associated with. said motor and mechanically controlled thereby, adapted to periodically operate said switch actuating mechanism in a direction to open said main switch.

14. In a coin controlled time switch, a main switch, switch actuating mechanism therefor, coin actuated means adapted to operate said mechanism in a direction to close said switch, a timing device including a timing motor, means for storing energy delivered thereby, means, timed by said motor, for releasing such energy,

, and mechanical means adapted to operate said switch actuating mechanism in a direction to open said switch, and powered by such released energy.

15. In a coin controlled time switch, a main switch, switch actuating mechanism therefor, coin actuated means adapted to operate said mechanism in a direction to close said switch,

a timing device, including a timing motor, a'

ratchet associated with said actuating mechanism, and a pawl, mechanically operated by said timing motor to periodically engage said ratchet and thereby operate said actuating mechanism in a direction to open said switch.

l6. A'device as described in claim 10 and including energy storing means adapted to actuate said mechanical connection member upon release of said energy, and means timed by said timing device for releasing said energy at predetermined time intervals.

17. In a coin controlled time switch, a main switch for controlling the transmission of energy from a supply circuit to a load circuit, switch actuating mechanism therefor, coin actuated means adapted to actuate said mechanism in a direction to close said switch, a timing device, including means for storing energy from said supply circuit, a timing motor operating to release said energy at predetermined time intervals, a. ratchet associated with said switch actuating mechanism, and a. pawl, associated with said energy storing means and mechanically operated by the energy released therefrom to move said ratchet to operate said switch actuating mechanism in a direction to open said switch.

18. In a coincontrolled time switch, a main switch for controlling the transmission of energy from a supply circuit to a load circuit, switch actuating means therefor, coin actuated means adapted to actuate said actuating means in a direction to close said switch, a timing device, including a timing motor, means for storing en ergy from said supply circuit and controlled by said motor, a connecting member between said 5 energy storing means and said switch actuating means, and means for maintaining said connecting member ineffective with respect to said switch actuating means until said energy is released,

said member thereupon operating to move said switch actuating means in a. direction to open said switch.

19. In a coin controlled time switch, a main switch for controlling the transmission oi. energy between a supply circuit and a load circuit, switch actuating mechanism therefor, coin actuated means adapted to operate said mechanism in a direction to close said switch, a timing device including a timing motor, means for'storing energy from said supply circuit and for releasing such energy controlled by said motor, and movable means having a limited movement and providing an operative connection between said energy storing means and said switch actuating mechanism for operating said actuating mechanism in a direction to open said switch.

20. In a coin controlled time switch, a,switch for connecting a load circuit to a supply circuit, a switch actuating member movable by definite increments toward and way from switch actuating position, coin actuated means, adapted to close said switch upon the deposit of an initial coin and to thereafter progressively move said member away from switch opening position upon the deposit of additional coins, a timing device, and a mechanical snap action device, timed in periodic operation by said timing device and adapted to progressively move said switch actuating member toward switch opening position.

21. A device as described in claim 20 and including a connecting'member associated with said switch actuating mechanism and with said snap action device and adapted for permitting movement of said switch actuating mechanism by said coin actuated means independently of operation by the snap action device.

22. A device as described in claim 20 an including a connecting member associated with said switch actuating mechanism and with said snap action device, and normally disengaged from said switch actuating mechanism, said member being engageable therewith upon operation of said snap action device.

23. In a coin controlled time switch, a frame,

operate said cam a definite increment of move- I ment in switch opening direction.

24. A coin-operated time switch comprising coin-controlled means, movable crediting means actuated in one direction by the coin-controlled means, a constant speed timing device, mechanism for storing the energy of operation of the timing device, means controlled by said timing device for imparting the stored energy to the crediting means to move it in the opposite direction, and a service switch controlled by the movement of said crediting means.

25. A coin-operated time switch comprising coin-controlled actuating means, movable crediting means actuated in one direction a predetermined amount from an initial position by each actuation of the coin-controlled means, a constant speed timing motor, mechanism for storing the energy of operation or said timing means. actuating means controlled by said timing means for imparting the stored energy to the crediting means to move it in the opposite direction said predetermined amount for each operation of the time controlled actuating means, and a service switch opened and closed by said crediting means when moved to and from its initial position respectively.

26. A coin controlled time switch comprising a rotary insulated cam disc having a notch in its periphery, a service switch controlled by said cam disc comprising two leaf springs, one hearing upon the disc, said disc having an initial position with said notch receiving said one spring eflective for opening of said switch, the latter being closed responsive to movement of said cam disc out of said initial position and remaining closed so long as said cam disc remains out of such initial position, coin controlled actuating means for rotating said cam disc in one direction a predetermined distance irom its initial position for each actuation, a constant speed timing motor, and means comprising a speed reduction drive from said motor eiiective for turning said cam disc in the opposite direction a predetermined distance in a predetermined time interval during continued operation of said motor, by power derived from the latter.

HUGH B. SMITH. 

